Method of and means for constructing embedded inclosures



No. 625,258. Patented May l6, I899. W. H; GROW.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOB CDNSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSUBES.

(Application filed May 31, 1898.) I {No Model.) 4 Sheik-Sheet i.

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No. 625,258. Patented'May l6, I899.

. W. H. GROW. METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR GONSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSURES.(Application filed May 31, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented May l6, I899.

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METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CONSTBUCTING EMBEDDED lNCL-DSURES.

(Application filed May 31, 1898.)

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No. 625,258. Patented May l6, I899. W. H. GROW.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CDNSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSURES.

(Application filed May 81, 1898.)

No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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INVENTOR llllllllllllllllllllll III"! Allarney UNITED STATES PAT NTOFFICE.

\VILLIAM II. GROWV, OF VVINFIELD, KANSAS.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CONSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLOSURES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,258, dated May 16,1899.

Application filed May 31, 1898. Serial No. 682,174- (No model-Y To allwhom it may concern:

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to means for constructing embeddedground-inclosures, such as storage-caves, cellars, outbuildingsgenerally, cisterns, and other analogous structures.

The method of construction consists in forming a surrounding or boundarytrench of suitable depth, filling in a-quantity of mortar, cement, orother plastic material, and

forming an arch thereover, permitting such filled-in material to set andharden in an airexcluded condition, and afterward removing the earth ordirt from the hardened inclosure to form the cave or other embeddedstructure.

The means embody certain arrangements, constructions, and combinationsof devices, walls, and arches, which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed.

The object of the invention is to produce a structure of the characterspecified in a simple and cheap manner and increase its strength anddurability and by causing the cement or concrete to harden whileexcluded from the air to form a homogeneous surrounding wall orsupporting part alike throughout and having no weak places therein.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional perspective viewof the simplest form of cave or earth-embedded inclosure constructed inaccordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a cave orother earth-embedded structure, showing a supporting-pillar formedtherein. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view looking down on the domeof the cave, cellar, or other embedded structure and showing a metallicarchsupport therein. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a portion of thearch-supporting framework shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of amodification in ,the construction of the device shown by Fig. 4. Fig. 6is a horizontal section of a portion of the side wall on opposite sidesof the door-opening. Fig. 71s an enlarged section through a portion ofthe dome and dash, illustrating the means for reinforcing said dash.Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of steps adapted, to be positionedin a trench leading to the door. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of acistern-inclosure. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a section of ground,showing the manner of forming tions of the embedded inclosure to beformed.

The simplest form of the invention is shown by Fig. 1, and to clearlybring out the manner of constructingthe same the trench above referredto is first constructed by removing the earth and placing it on theunexcavated portion surrounded by the said trench and packed down toform a convex surface or mold, which is sprinkled with sand. The trenchis then partially or entirely filled with cement, concrete, mortar, orother plastic material, which is primarily of such consistency as toreadily flow and settle in'every interstice, and the said mold islikewise covered with similar material to form a dome 1*,which becomescontinuous with the wall in the surrounding trench. It is preferred thatthe cement dome 1 be applied over the earth-mold previous to thehardening of the filling in the surrounding trench, and at the same timethe said dome is formed adash 2 is constructed at a point adjacent tothe location of the door-opening, said dash being, formed of materialsimilar to the dome and surrounding wall and elevated a sufficientdistance, as well as extended on opposite sides of the trench,which isprimarily formed at the point where the door is to be located. A dirtcovering is placed on the top of the dome, and the function of the dashis to prevent the dirt from being washed ofi and into the trench leadingto the door, and as considerable pressure will be brought to bearagainst the dash resistance means, which will be hereinafter moreparticularly referred to, will be supplied to reinforce the said dashagainst breakage or fracture. At the same time that the surroundingtrench is formed laterally-projecting trenches 2 are also constructed,as shown by Fig. 10, and located in parallel planes 011 opposite sidesof the entrance to the door-opening3. of each of these trenches 2 arevertically grooved at regularintervals, as at 2 and said trenches arefilled with cement, concrete, or mortar before the surrounding wall ofthe main structure becomes hard, in order that a homogeneous connectionmay be established. The said walls on the opposite sides of the entranceare first covered with dirt to exclude the air, and after hardening theinner surface of each wall is exposed by clearing the unexcavated earthaway therefrormwhich will leave a series of vertical ribs, as 3. All thewalls and parts generally are left for a sufficient length of time toharden or set previous to pursuing any further operations. hardeningprocess will be very effective in View of the entire exclusion of air,and after it is completed and the surrounding wall, as well as the domeand side walls of the entrance, is thoroughly dry the dirt from theinterior is removed through the door-opening and the said side walls ofthe entrance eX-' posed in the manner set forth. The floor is all thatremains to be made, and this can be readily done and be composed eitherof the same material as the surrounding wall and dome, an ordinary boardflooring, or a brickbase, as may be desired The entrance-way primarilyformed to lead to the door-opening is intended to have means of descentand ascent mounted therein. In ordinary structures, and particularlysmall caves, a series of common wooden steps 4 can be placed in properposition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in detail in Fig. 8; but thepreferable way of making these steps is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11,wherein a filling of cement, as at 5, is positioned between the ribs 3at regular varying elevations, and so that an upper tread is formed andin front of which and bearing at its opposite ends against oppositealined ribs a wooden riser 5 is mounted to protect the same. Thisprovides a very-solid stairway, and the outermost cement filling formingthe first or top step at the entrance virtually constitutes a wall whichwill add strength to the structure. The said stairway, if made at theproper time, will also become firmly secured to the opposite side wallsof the entrance.

As previously set forth, the dash 2 is reinforced by placing metallicrods 6 diagonally across from the inner upper portion of the dash to anopposite adjacent part of the dome. As many of these rods can be used asare found necessary, and the opposite ends are embedded in the dash anddome at the points of engagement with the latter. In the for- Theinnerwalls The" mation of the surrounding wall in the trench an aperture ofsuitable dimensions is left therein to form the door-opening 3, and, asshown by Fig. 6, the wall on opposite sides of the said door-opening isthickened, as at 7, and to further strengthen the structure at thispoint metallic rods 8 are embedded in the wall at regular intervals andpreferably in a horizontal plane, and also-for apurpose which will behereinafter referred to. A door-frame 9 is mounted in the door-openingand is securedin position either by the rods 8, which then become bolts,or other means, and attached to said frame is a door 10, whichpreferably opens inwardly into the cave or confined space.

In all the forms of the structure a bent rod 11 is inserted in the upperportion of the surrounding wall at the point or adjacent to the junctureof the base of the dome with said wall. This is to establish strengthand resistance against pressure exerted by the weight above on the saidsurrounding wall. A yielding of the wall at the juncture of the dome orarch is fatal to the sufficient support of the latter, and the said rod11 obviates springing at-thesides,and consequently a stable position ofthe, said dome or arch is provided.

As shown by Fig. 2, and in every large structure, it maybe foundnecessary to support the dome or arch from the inner side byregularly-positioned pillars 12, which are formed by boring out theearth at predeter mined points within the confines of the surroundingtrench and filling the holes with cement, concrete, mortar, or otherplastic material similar to the wall in said trench. Each of the pillarsis carried up through the mold of earth placed on the unexcavatedportion within the said surrounding wall, which provides a mold for thedome or arch and has rested thereon a plate 13 of suitable material,against which the inner side of the dome at the point where the pillaris applied has bearing, and the support of said pillar, through themedium of the plate, is distributed over a large surface. These pillarsmay be shaped in various ways, and the number employed within theconfined space will be regulated in accordance with the dimensions orproportions of the structure generally and the dome or archparticularly.

In ordinary or small structures it is unnecessary to reinforce the domeor arch; butin many instances an auxiliary strengthening device will berequired, and, as shown in Fig. 3, a series of radial ribs let havetheir lower ends brought to bear against the bent rod 11 embedded in theupper portion of the surrounding wall and their upper ends attached to acentral collar 15. Resting upon or secured to the said ribs is aconcentric ring or rod 16, and thisentire auxiliary is placed inposition on the upper convex surface of the earth mold of the dome orarch previous to IIO the application of the cement or concrete.

' When said concrete or cement is spread upon the mold and over theribs, as stated, it of course sinks in around said ribs, and thereinforcing -network formed by the several parts is secured and greatlyadds to the resisting power of the dome or arch. It is preferred thatthis auxiliary reinforcement be not exposed on the outer or exteriorside of the dome or arch, but may be seen on the interior and soarranged as to have a corrugated or fluted appearance, particularly ifthe dirt of the mold is pressed up between the ribsor radial trenchesformed to receive said ribs. In Fig. 4 the arrangement of the ribs andother parts of this auxiliary reinforce are clearly shown, and it willbe observed that they snugly fit each other, and any means found bestadapted for the purpose will be used in connecting and holding inposition the component parts of this device. It is intended, however,that the lower ends of the ribs particularly be rested on the bent rodin the upper part of the surround ing wall, and for this purpose thelower ends of said ribs are cut away to form shoes to prevent them fromslipping. Also at points where the intermediate ring 16 engages the saidribs the said ring and adjacent ribs at intervals may have oppositeslots formed therein to make a fiush joint 17 when the parts are fittedtogether, and likewise the upper ends of said ribs maybe notched or cutaway, as at their lower ends, to rest upon the collar 15.

In Fig. 5 a modification of the 'construction and arrangement of theauxiliary reinforce of the dome or arch is shown, and, like that setforth, comprises the lower bent rod 11, the intermediate ring 16, andthe upper central collar 15. The ribs, however, in this instance areshown varied in arrangement, andv between alternate long ribs shorterribs 18 extend from the intermediate ring 16 to the bent rod 11. Thisarrangement could also be equally well adopted in the construction shownby Figs. 3 and 4, and one means for supporting the ribs (shown by Fig.5) is in the form of links 19, which are placed at regular intervals onthe ring 16. The upper ends of the shorter ribs 18 are then inserted inthe lower depending portions of the said links and given aquarter-twist, which draws the said ends of the shorter ribs closelyagainst the under portion of the ring 16, it being understood that thelinks will be of such length as to arrive at the desired securementattained in the manner set forth. The longer ribs are also in likemanner secured by the links, but the upper ends thereof rest against thecollar 15, as clearly shown, and by this means all of the ribs arebrought within the same plane under the said ring- 16. The cement orconcrete is applied over this form of reinforce in the manner similar tothe previously-described form.

In connecting the opposite ends of the bent rod 11, which is embedded inthe surroundshown by Fig. 3, a metal plate 20 is embedded in the wall,which adds additional strength to this part of the structure, and theopposite ends of said plate project beyond the opposite terminations ofthe side walls of the trench leading to the doorway. There are a numberof ways in which this plate can be mounted to arrive at the desiredresult.

In Fig. 9 the manner of forming a cistern is shown, and the mode ofprocedure is the same as in buildinga cave or cellar, as heretofore setforth, except that a piece of pipe or a collar is inserted in thecentral top part of the dome large enough for use asa manhole and topermit a man to pass into the interior of the cistern structure toremove the dirtin making the proper excavation. Other incidentalattachments might also be em ployed such, for instance, as a drain-pipeleading through the dome into the cistern-and the features ofconstruction heretofore enumerated will also be used in this form ofinclosure. It is also necessary to apply ventilating means to theinclosure set forth, and this may be accomplished by securing a piece ofterra-cotta pipe to the collar15, or any other tubular device might beattached at this point. \Vhere the dome is built without an auxiliaryreinforce, other means will be used in securing ventilation, or amold-pipe of the same material as the dome might be built upward fromthelatter by theprimarypositioning of a cylindrical mold of a suitablenature. In running up all parts of the structure above the groundsurface extraneous moldingboards will be employed and positioned apartfrom each other a distance equal to the thickness of the extendedportion, and particularly in making the dash.

- From the foregoing disclosure of the invention it will be observedthat the salient feature resides in making structures of all charactersunderground prior to excavation.

propersuch as a wall, arch, pillar, or other useful deviceand soarranging them that they will dry or set without being in contact withthe air and using the earth itself as a mold. This form of device isparticularly beneficial in making cellars, large and small reservoirs,vaults, stock-sheds, stables, poultry-houses, or other inclosures thatare less liable to be destroyed when below the ground surface or forother beneficial purposes.

To increase the room-space of underground structures made in accordancewith the foregoing disclosure, a number of surrounding walls of circularor other form might be arranged adjacent to each other and having theinvention.

same or various kinds of stock can be stabled separately. In thisconnection also it would be advisable at times to dispense with the useof the stairway and substitute therefor an inclined flooring with ribsthereon to permit the cattle to gain a foothold. This plural positioningof several structures is not illustrated and would be simply aduplication of the form shown and does not involve any departure fromthe original intent and purpose'of While numerous structural featureshave been set forth as valuable and practical additions, it will beunderstood that such other devices as are applicable and not enumeratedheretofore will be employed at will, and, further, that changes in theproportions, dimensions, and minor details of construction may beresorted to without departing from the nature or spirit of the inventionor sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Havingthus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising a surrounding wall with adoor-opening in one portion and an upper meeting dome or arch, the upperpart of the said surrounding wall at the point of juncture with the archhaving an embedded rod therein to reinforcethe said wall againstsuperimposed weight of the dome or arch, the opposite sides of thedoor-opening being thickened and having reinforce rods or bars appliedthereto.

2. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising an outer surrounding wall witha rod located in the upper portion thereof and having the top dome orarch and a door-opening in one portion, a pillar extending up throughthe inclosed space and having a plate resting on the under side of thedome or arch, the said pillar, surrounding wall, and dome or arch beingconstructed of cement or analogous material and hardened by excludingtheair therefrom by a covering, a dash beingextended upward from the domeabove the dooropening to prevent the earth from falling or washing intosaid opening, and means for reinforcing the said dash.

3. An earth-embedded inclosure comprisinga surrounding wall with anupper inclosed reinforcerod and a dome or arch resting thereon andforming a homogeneous part thereof, the said surrounding wall having adoor-opening .in one portion, and the dome provided with a dash aboveand adjacent to said door-opening, the opposite walls surrounding thedoor-opening being widened and reinforced, and steps leading to the saiddooropening. I

4. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising a surrounding wall with ,anupper rein force-rod and a dome or arch formed as a homogeneous partthereof, the said surrounda reinforce, and a reinforce in the domecomprising an uppercollar and intermediate ring or analogous shapedsupport and radial ribs which engage the reinforce-rod in the upper partof the surrounding wall at their lower ends, the collar at their upperends and also the intermediate support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM I-I. GROW.

Witnesses:

ALLEN O. DAVIS, JOHN F. COGDA.

